Pulled the valve cover today anyone ever see this stuff?

Maybe you can pull that plug and see if there is manifold vacuum there.

BTW, where are you checking for vacuum for the PCV? Right at the port on the carb base? If not then check, right at the carb base port. I just can't remember if that PCV port goes direct into the carb base under the throttle plate, in which case the intake would not matter, or if it turns down through the gasket.